ILOILO City – Uswag Ilonggo party-list’s Cong. James “Jojo” Ang has challenged authorities to examine closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from a Manila Polo Club townhouse and vowed to immediately resign from office if evidence proves he received a suitcase filled with cash, as allegations linking him to an alleged money-delivery scheme linked to flood control projects resurfaced before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Ang made the declaration while maintaining that he never received any money and insisting he is prepared to face any investigation to clear his name.
But the lawmaker said he would no longer file a case against former Philippine Marines personnel who implicated him in the alleged delivery of suitcases containing cash, unlike some other personalities named in the controversy.
“Kay damo naman nag-file, ako wala na nag-file sang case,” Ang explained.
He reiterated his denial: “Halin sang una, naghambal na ko nga wala gid ko ya kabaton. Honest to goodness, wala gid ko kabaton.”
Ang urged authorities to review available CCTV recordings from the townhouse at the Manila Polo Club that was mentioned in the allegations.
“Abrihan nila ang CCTV camera didto sa Manila Polo Club nga townhouse nga ginahambal nila,” he said.
Ang also said he is willing to sign any waiver necessary to facilitate the release of the footage.
“Dugay na ko gahambal nga i-request nila,” he said.
The congressman further raised the stakes by publicly pledging to step down from office should evidence show that he received a suitcase containing money.
“I will resign immediately kun matuod. Resign gid ta dayon, insigida,” Ang said.
Asked why his name was included in affidavits executed by the former Marines, Ang said he could only speculate.
“Wala gid ako ya kabalo. Siguro basi sa closeness naton sa mga migo naton, wala gid ako kabalo. Nagahulat lang kita sang sakto nga tiyempo,” he said.
Ang’s name resurfaced during a June 4 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano, where Sen. Rodante Marcoleta cited affidavits allegedly executed by 18 former Philippine Marines personnel claiming they had delivered suitcases containing cash to several lawmakers and personalities.
Among those mentioned during the hearing were Ang, Iloilo City’s Cong. Julienne Baronda, Iloilo 1st District’s Cong. Janette Garin, and former Kabataan party-list lawmaker Raoul Manuel.
Baronda and Garin have since filed legal complaints against the 18 former Marines and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, over the allegations./PN
